Jane Goldman And Matthew Vaughn Won't Be Making Kick-Ass 2

Jane Goldman spoke to MTV about the possibility of returning for Kick-Ass 2. Goldman states that she more than likely won't be involved as a writer but as a producer. Matthew Vaughn could end up as a producer too and is currently talking with someone who could end up writing/directing the sequel.

“I think the only thing that is fairly sure is that right now, Matthew doesn’t have any plans to direct it. He and I are not currently talking about writing it either. It may well be that Matthew oversees ['Kick-Ass 2'] in a producer role, and I may also be involved in that capacity. I know that there is somebody that Matthew has been talking to who would be interested in writing and directing that. That would be cool.”

Emile Hirsch Also Joins Oliver Stone's Savages

Variety reports Emile Hirsch (Into The Wild, Milk) has also joined Oliver Stone's Savages in an unnamed role. The cast already includes Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Uma Thurman and John Travolta.

Blake Lively, Uma Thurman & John Travolta Confirmed For Savages

Deadline reports that Blake Lively (The Town, Green Lantern) has officially joined Oliver Stone's Savages. They also confirm that Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) and John Travolta have also been cast. They join an already impressive group that includes Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy, Kick-Ass), Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars), Benicio Del Toro and Salma Hayek. 

It would seem that Lively has chosen Savages over the Glinda role in Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. I have high expectations for this new Oliver Stone film as he hasn't been able to make compelling film that I've enjoyed since Any Given Sunday (1999). The subject matter could be the key element to Stone returning to his Scarface roots.

Blake Lively Frontrunner For Oliver Stone's Savages

Recently Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars), Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) and Benicio Del Toro had been confirmed as the main cast for Oliver Stone's Savages. Variety has word that Blake Lively (Green Lantern, The Town) is the frontrunner for the role of O the friend of the two pot growers (Kitsch, Johnson) who is kidnapped by a Mexican cartel. Other actresses who had been looked at the role included Abbie Cornish, Teresa Palmer and Olivia Wilde. An official offer has yet to go out to Lively but it is expected. The report also mentions Uma Thurman is up for a part in the film.

Actors Confirmed For Oliver Stone's Savages, Actresses Start Testing For Lead

Oliver Stone's drug-themed crime thriller Savages is looking very promising. Universal has picked up the film and now is testing actresses for the role of O, the kidnapped friend of the two pot growers. After Jennifer Lawrence left to star in Gary Ross' Hunger Games. Deadline confirms that Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch and Benicio Del Toro are locked in while Salma Hayek is still in talks. They also say that along with Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens) testing for the female lead is Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch, A Good Year). Variety adds that Blake Lively (Green Lantern, The Town) and Teressa Palmer (I Am Number Four) are also in the mix.

Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson & Olivia Wilde Could Star In Oliver Stone's Savages

Deadline reports that Oliver Stone's next movie will be Savages based on the novel by Don Winslow. The film focuses on two Laguna-based pot growers arm-twisted into working for a Mexican cartel when they kidnap O, the free spirited best friend of the growers.

Stone is currently in talks with both Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy) and Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars) for the two leads. I love the sounds of this drug based crime thriller and it doesn't hurt that Stone wrote both Scarface and Midnight Express. I expect this could be a another drug epic in the making.

They add that Olivia Wilde is currently in talks for the role of O which had been linked to Jennifer Lawrence before she signed on for Hunger Games. Benicio Del Toro and Salma Hayek had been linked for Mexican cartel roles.

Bryan Singer Hints Again At First Class Sequel

In a recent interview with HeroComplex producer Bryan Singer quickly mentions the possibility of more X-Men First Class films. It's been mentioned before that Singer wouldn't direct a sequel and stated First Class was very much Matthew Vaughn's thing. This time Singer gives the impression Cyclops was not included in the first film but could be in the second one.

This also raises the question will Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) be playing Scott Summers? He had been rumored for the role but the character ultimately didn't make the film because of conflicting timelines. Also since Cyclops is such a popular character he would have been overshadowed by Magneto since this film mostly focuses on him. If they set the next film in the 70's or early 80's it could be a little more believable and we could also see the return of Jean Grey.

Jane Goldman Currently Writing Kick-Ass 2?

TheDailyMail points out that screenwriter Jane Goldman (Stardust, Kick-Ass) is currently working on the script to Kick-Ass 2: Balls To The Wall. I'm not sure how reliable the Mail is but Goldman is finished writing duties on both X-Men First Class and The Woman In Black. It's also the first source outside of Mark Millar stating there is development on the sequel.

EDITORIAL: First Class A New X-Men Franchise For Fox?

I believe that one of the biggest reasons for 20th Century Fox making X-Men First Class is to branch out their X-Men universe. Creating a side-franchise for the studio since they could very well lose the rights to their Marvel properties like Daredevil and The Fantastic Four. The Wolverine and Deadpool have the greatest potential as successful spin-offs for Fox. The First Class films could help expand the X-Men universe while being a great place to insert their laundry list of unused mutants and origin stories.

So why do I believe that X-Men First Class is going become it's own franchise?  Fox more than likely has a plan for showing off more origins like ones for Jean, Scott, Storm and Gambit in future films. It's not financially sound to go and make solo origin films for all of these characters. Including their origins slowly in a First Class franchise makes more sense. It's also a perfect reason to have period based comic book films. While this film is set in the 60's the next film could be in the 70's. Still keeping it's Bond style of globetrotting with elaborate sets and costumes. Giving us fresh takes on the genre by changing up the eras. 

One of the biggest issues for fans was the exclusion of Jean and Scott. Yet if they were going by previous films neither would have been born when Xavier was young. Since they've sort of killed off both Scott and Jean it would make sense to feature their origin stories in a sequel.

It made sense for the first movie to focus on the older characters like Xavier, Magneto, Beast, Emma Frost and Mystique. The studio went on to use story elements from the Magento and Mystique (rumored) origin films. While it's unlikely the characters will now get their own spin-offs they could return for sequels. January Jones recently said she would like to return for another film. So it's possible they've locked in the actors for more movies.

Aaron Johnson had been rumored for the role of Cyclops and Gambit so it's possible they've already set things in motion with a cameo. Stephen Lang (Avatar, Conan) would love to play the role of Cable and could also be involved in any of the future X-Men films.

There had been talk of making a New Mutants/X-Force film but I wouldn't be surprised to see it and the members (Cable) being absorbed into a second movie. Yet you never know it could also be used in X-Men 4 which Bryan Singer is likely to direct when he is finished with Jack The Giant Killer.

Granted we haven't even seen a trailer yet but it's very possible if the movie does well this summer we could see more of these prequels.


Would You Like More X-Men Origin Stories Used In First Class 2? Should Cyclops, Jean, Storm, Cable and Gambit Be Featured In The Prequels? Leave Your Comments!

Aaron Johnson, Nicholas Hoult & Juno Temple Up For Jack The Giant Killer

HeatVision reports that Bryan Singer is close to casting the leads in Jack The Giant Killer. The three contenders for Jack include Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy, Kick-Ass), Nicholas Hoult (About A Boy, Single Man) and newcomer Aneurin Bernard. While Johnson seems the frontrunner Hoult could very well be a decent second choice. It doesn't hurt that he's co-starring in X-Men First Class which Singer is producing. In the running for the Princess is Juno Temple (Atonement, Year One), Lily Collins and Adelaide Kane. Temple is my favorite of the group and is more likely to get the role with her high profile.

The script recently worked on by Christopher McQuarrie (The Wolverine, Usual Suspects) focuses on a princess who is kidnapped, threatening the long-standing peace between humans and giants.  A young farmer is then forced to lead a rescue mission to the giants' kingdom.

Max Irons & Alex Pettyfer Also In The Running For Jack The Giant Killer

Deadline reports that Aaron Johnson isn't the only actor being looked at to star in Bryan Singer's re-imaging of Jack The Gint Killer. The site lists Max Irons (Red Riding Hood) and Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) as possible candidates.

Jack The Giant Killer To Shoot Spring 2011, Aaron Johnson To Star?

Deadline reports Warner Bros. and New Line have greenlit Bryan Singer's Jack The Giant Killer. The film is expected to start shooting in the spring thanks to script changes from Christopher McQuarrie who worked with Singer on both Valkyrie and The Usual Suspects. He also wrote the script for Wolverine 2. The site also reports Singer would love to cast Aaron Johnson in the film. He and Andrew Garfield had been rumored for screen tests but with Garfield locked in for Spider-Man it looks like Johnson could get the role.

RUMOR: Is Aaron Johnson Gambit?

ComicBookMovie was able to find out from foreign news sources that actor Alex González (Milk) has joined X-Men First Class playing Riptide best known for being in the Marauders. While interesting, it's more where the character fits in the X-Men universe that could give us more clues on the film's story. It's not shocking that Fox would be adding some lesser known mutants in the film but a Marauder? This could very well could mean the previous rumors of Mr. Sinister and Gambit being in the film more likely. Both Gambit and Mystique were involved in the group and could give us the origin of the thief turned X-Men. It leads me to believe that Gambit is going to be in this film.


Previously Aaron Johnson had been rumored for the part of Scott Summers better known as Cyclops but it had been established the character wouldn't be in the film. There were confirmations of sorts that Bryan Singer while testing actors for Jack The Giant Killer was also having them read for First Class roles (Johnson being one of those actors). Gambit is the best known Cajun mutant and the open casting call for actors who can do a Cajun accent fueled rumors. That along with Johnson testing for the film and being known for his uncanny American accents. He very well could have tested for Remy LeBeau not Cyclops.


Fox also seems to be hell bent on mining the X-Men universe for all that it's worth so it's possible we could see a Gambit film in the future. While most remember Taylor Kitsch playing Remy in Wolverine he has been busy since then. He's lined himself in a trilogy of John Carter of Mars films for Disney and is starring in the alien invasion film Battleship which could also spawn sequels. It seems Taylor could be a bit too pricey/busy for 20th Century Fox if they ever did to decide to make a Gambit spin-off. I wouldn't be surprised if they've already re-casted the role. It's likely they would be looking at younger actors with less franchises on their plate. Johnson being the best example of who they could be looking for since he only has Kick-Ass at this point.

UPDATE: Gambit is not in First Class but it's possible that the character could be used in First Class 2. Both Bryan Singer and Matthew Vaughn have been lobbing for the character for previous films. Singer since X1 and even using Gambit's real name Remy in a mutant list in X2. When Vaughn was originally directing X3 he had planned on using Gambit as well. As Gambit has yet to be used in the first three X-Men films it's possible like Emma Frost he could be reintroduced. Not to mention he'd be a great fit for the 60's setting. I'll have to take another look at First Class when it's on DVD as he may have been in the Hellfire Club Casino but not noticed yet.

Kick-Ass 2 Starts Production Next Year?

Creator Mark Millar believes Kick-Ass 2 will start production in nine months. There are teases of a superhero group lead by Hit Girl and Kick-Ass which fights Motherfucker's (Red Mist) group of super villains. The comics haven't been released but this is enough to fuel anyone's demand for the sequel. Matthew Vaughn will be finished with X-Men First Class in June, so that could lead to second film starting production sometime late next year. I wouldn't be surprised if the script is currently being worked on by Vaughn and Jane Goldman.

More Auditions For X-Men First Class

Deadline reports that more talented actors have auditioned for X-Men First Class. They confirm the previous rumor of Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy, Kick-Ass) testing along with Andrew Garfield (Never Let Me Go, Red Riding) who also auditioned for Spider-Man. Other actors like Eddie Redmayne (Savage Grace) and Jack Houston (Outlander) have also tested for roles. The site also confirms the involvement of Ben Walker, Amber Heard and Rosamund Pike. I mentioned before that Eddie would make a great Banshee, I could also see Jack Houston playing Gambit.


CBM caught wind of actress/model Jasmine Dustin tweeting she had auditioned for the role of young a Raven Darkholme (Mystique). Which could mean that Amber Heard is more than likely inline for Jean Grey or Emma Frost (if they're including her).


There was word yesterday that First Class will be the first movie to start off Fox's connective Marvel film universe. It's possible some of these roles could be for heroes outside the X-Men universe (Daredevil, Fantastic Four). We could see more high profiled actors being cast in supporting roles which might lead to future spin-offs. I expect there will be spin-offs for Gambit, Cyclops and Cable/X-Force (previously mentioned).

Aaron Johnson & Anton Yelchin Added To Spider-Man Hopefuls

It doesn't look like Jamie Bell is a sure lock to play the new Spider-Man. LATimes reports Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy) and Anton Yelchin (Star Trek, Terminator Salvation) are now inline to test for the role.


Aaron was my first choice to replace Tobey when the reboot was first announced. He's also rumored for a lead role in X-Men First Class which will shoot this summer. It's possible if Spider-Man is shot in the fall or winter he could do both but it's likely he'll have to choose one project. Yelchin is another decent addition to the candidates which I believe could do the hero justice.

UPDATE: X-Men First Class, Casting/Crew & Gambit?

ThePlaylist reports that Aaron Johnson is very much "locked" in for a role in X-Men First Class. Frank Dillane who was linked with the production and is one of the five Spider-Man candidates could be in the film too. There have been crew announcements slowing coming in from GeekFiles.


Playlist also reports casting is looking for actors who can pull off a Cajun accent. Which of course would mean we'll be seeing Gambit included in the film. I think this could be be Fox's chance to develop the hero for his own franchise similar to Wolverine.


CREW

Composer: Ilan Eshkeri (Kick-Ass, Ninja Assassin, Stardust)

Concept Artist: Matthew Savage (Prince of Persia, Wolfman, The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Doctor Who)

Pre-Visualization Supervisor: Rpin Suwannath (X-Men 1-2, Superman Returns, Serenity, Narnia Trilogy)

Production Designer: Russell De Rozario (Kick-Ass)

Cinematographer: Ben Davis (Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, Stardust)

Costume Designer: Sammy Sheldon (Green Zone, Stardust, Hellboy 2, V for Vendetta, Black Hawk Down)

Supervising Art Director: John King (Robin Hood, Bablyon AD, Kingdom of Heaven, Harry Potter 1-2)

Could Aaron Johnson Be Magneto In X-Men First Class?

Filmonic has picked up on this image of the new Professor X played by James McAvoy, director Matthew Vaughn and actor Aaron Johnson together. Johnson was just recently linked with meeting Bryan Singer for Jack The Giant Killer. Singer has previously stated he would be simultaneously casting for Jack The Giant Killer and X-Men First Class. Johnson worked with Vaughn on Kick-Ass and has done some peroid work playing a young John Lennon in Nowhere Boy.


My assumption is that Aaron could be up for the role of Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) since it's the only other high profile role known to us. After surviving the holocust as a child he bonds with fellow mutant Charles Xavier (McAvoy). The only other role I can think he could be playing is a young Hank McCoy (Beast).

Aaron Johnson & Andrew Garfield In The Running For Jack The Giant Killer?

HeatVision reports that director Bryan Singer has had meetings with Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy) and Andrew Garfield (Red Riding, Doctor Parnassus) for Jack The Giant Killer. I assume the role would be Jack of course, yet neither have been confirmed as being cast.